CN109779761B

CN109779761B - Noise-attenuating heat exchanger and method of using same

Info

Publication number: CN109779761B
Application number: CN201811343509.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D·W·福奇; B·什瓦汉卡拉
Original assignee: Boeing Co
Current assignee: Boeing Co
Priority date: 2017-11-14
Filing date: 2018-11-13
Publication date: 2023-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-13
Also published as: EP3734041B1; EP3734041A1; US11060480B2; EP3483413A1; CN109779761A; EP3483413B1; US20190145348A1

Abstract

Noise-attenuating heat exchangers and methods of using the same are disclosed herein. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger includes an aerodynamically shaped layer, a base, an intermediate layer, and a cooling fluid containment body. The aerodynamically shaped layer defines an aerodynamically shaped surface, an opposite surface facing the intermediate layer, and a plurality of apertures. The intermediate layer defines a surface facing the shaping layer and an opposite surface facing the base. The base defines a base surface. The surface facing the intermediate layer at least partially defines a noise attenuation volume. The base surface at least partially defines an elongated cooling conduit. The noise attenuation volume is distinct from the elongated cooling conduit, and the intermediate layer at least partially fluidly isolates the noise attenuation volume from the elongated cooling conduit. The cooling fluid containment body at least partially defines a cooling fluid containment conduit. The method includes a method of utilizing the noise-attenuating heat exchanger.

Description

Noise-attenuating heat exchanger and method of using the same

Technical Field

In general, the present disclosure is directed to noise-attenuating heat exchangers and/or methods of using the same.

Background

The heat exchanger may be used to exchange thermal energy or heat between a first fluid stream and a second fluid stream while maintaining fluid isolation between the two fluid streams. Typically, the first fluid is a readily available fluid, such as water or air, and the second fluid is a heat exchange fluid flowing in a closed loop and used to cool the cooling component. Examples of heat exchange fluids include water, hydrocarbon fluids, fluorocarbon fluids, and/or refrigerants.

In some systems, such as jet engines for aircraft, space may be very limited and competing system priorities may dictate the maximum size, shape, and/or positioning of the heat exchangers. These variables may create trade-offs with other components of the system. Accordingly, there is a need for a noise-attenuating heat exchanger and/or a method of utilizing the same.

Disclosure of Invention

Noise-attenuating heat exchangers and methods of using the same are disclosed herein. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger includes an aerodynamically shaped layer, a base, an intermediate layer, and a cooling fluid containment body. The aerodynamically shaped layer defines an aerodynamically shaped surface that is shaped to direct a flow of a first fluid stream comprising a first fluid, an opposite, intermediate layer-facing surface that faces toward the intermediate layer, and a plurality of apertures. The intermediate layer defines a shaping layer-facing surface that faces the aerodynamic shaping layer, and an opposite base-facing surface that faces the base. The base defines a base surface facing the intermediate layer.

The surface facing the intermediate layer at least partially defines a noise attenuation volume. The noise attenuation volume is configured to be in fluid communication with the first fluid flow via a plurality of apertures. The noise attenuation volume is configured to attenuate acoustic energy from the first fluid flow.

The base surface at least partially defines an elongated cooling conduit extending between a cooling conduit inlet and a cooling conduit outlet. The elongated cooling conduit is configured to receive a cooling fluid in heat exchange relationship with the cooling fluid containing body. The cooling fluid includes a first fluid.

The noise attenuation volume is different from the elongated cooling ducts. The intermediate layer at least partially fluidly isolates the noise attenuation volume from the elongated cooling conduit.

The cooling fluid containment body at least partially defines a cooling fluid containment conduit. The cooling fluid containment duct extends between a cooling fluid containment duct inlet and a cooling fluid containment duct outlet and is configured to receive a cooling flow comprising a second fluid.

The method includes a method of using a noise-attenuating heat exchanger.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system, such as an aircraft, which may include a jet engine, which may include and/or utilize a noise-attenuating heat exchanger and/or a dendritic heat exchanger, according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a jet engine that may include and/or utilize a noise-attenuating heat exchanger and/or a dendritic heat exchanger according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a noise-attenuating heat exchanger according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is a smaller schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a noise-attenuating heat exchanger according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is a smaller schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a noise-attenuating heat exchanger according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a smaller schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a noise-attenuating heat exchanger according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is a smaller schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a noise-attenuating heat exchanger according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a dendritic heat exchanger according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 isbase:Sub>A smaller schematic transverse cross-sectional view of an example of the dendritic heat exchanger of FIG. 8 taken along line A-A of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 isbase:Sub>A smaller schematic transverse cross-sectional view of an example of the dendritic heat exchanger of FIG. 8 taken along line A-A of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 isbase:Sub>A smaller schematic transverse cross-sectional view of an example of the dendritic heat exchanger of FIG. 8 taken along line A-A of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a smaller schematic transverse cross-sectional view of an example of the dendritic heat exchanger of FIG. 8 taken along line B-B of FIG. 8 (as illustrated by the solid lines) and taken along line C-C of FIG. 8 (as illustrated by the solid and dashed lines).

Fig. 13 is a smaller schematic profile view illustrating an example of a dendritic heat exchanger according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart depicting a method of exchanging heat and attenuating noise according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 15 is a flow chart depicting a method of exchanging heat in a dendritic heat exchanger according to the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1-15 provide illustrative, non-exclusive examples of a noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100, a dendritic heat exchanger 200, a method 300, and/or a method 400 according to the present disclosure, as well as illustrative, non-exclusive examples of systems 10 that may include and/or utilize a noise-attenuating heat exchanger, a dendritic heat exchanger, and/or a method disclosed herein. Elements that serve a similar or at least substantially similar purpose are labeled with the same numeral in each of fig. 1-15, and such elements may not be discussed in detail herein with reference to each of fig. 1-15. Similarly, not all elements may be labeled in each of fig. 1-15, but reference numerals associated therewith may be used herein for consistency. Elements, components, and/or features discussed herein with reference to one or more of fig. 1-15 may be included in and/or used by any of fig. 1-15 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In general, elements that are likely to be included in a given (i.e., particular) embodiment are illustrated in solid lines, while optional elements for a given embodiment are illustrated in dashed lines. However, the elements shown in solid lines are not required for all embodiments, and elements shown in solid lines may be omitted from a given embodiment without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system 10, such as an aircraft 12 that may include a jet engine 14 that may include and/or utilize a noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 and/or a dendritic heat exchanger 200 according to the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the jet engine 14. The jet engine 14 may also be referred to herein and/or may be a jet engine assembly 14 and/or a jet engine and nacelle (nacellee) assembly 14. As shown in FIG. 1, a system 10 including an aircraft 12 may include a fuselage 16, a plurality of wings 18, and a tail 20. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 and/or the dendritic heat exchanger 200 disclosed herein may be utilized to exchange thermal energy between a first fluid stream 80 comprising a first fluid 84 and a second fluid stream 90, which may also be referred to herein as a cooling stream 90. As discussed in more detail herein, the first fluid flow 80 may include air surrounding the system 10 and/or compressed by the fan 22 of the jet engine 14 or ambient air. In contrast, the second fluid flow 90 may flow within a closed loop within the system 10 and/or may be used to cool the cooling component 24 of the system 10. In other words, the system 10 may include the heat transfer system 32, and the second fluid stream 90 may flow in a closed loop therein. Examples of cooling components 24 include one or more components of system 10, aircraft 12, and/or jet engine 14, such as a gearbox, bearings, and/or generator.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the jet engine 14, including the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 and/or the dendritic heat exchanger 200 disclosed herein, may include a nacelle 26 that surrounds, provides a housing for, and/or directs air into the jet engine. The jet engine 14 may also include a fan 22 that may provide an initial compression of a first fluid flow 80, such as air, flowing into the jet engine. The fan 22 may be driven by a turbine assembly 28 via a cooling component 24, such as a gearbox 25. The turbine assembly 28 may be positioned within a turbine housing 30. The jet engine 14 may have and/or define a plurality of aerodynamically shaped surfaces 112.

The noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 and/or the dendritic heat exchanger 200 may be positioned at any suitable location within the jet engine 14. By way of example, and as illustrated by the dashed lines, the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 and/or the dendritic heat exchanger 200 can be formed, defined and/or operatively connected to a portion of the aerodynamically shaped surface 112 of the nacelle 26, such as an inner surface of the nacelle and/or a fan casing at least partially defined by or operatively connected to the nacelle. As another example, the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 and/or the dendritic heat exchanger 200 may be formed, defined and/or operatively connected to an aerodynamically shaped surface 112 of the turbine casing 30, such as an inner surface of the turbine casing, as illustrated by the dash-dot line, and/or an outer surface of the turbine casing, as illustrated by the dash-dot-dot line.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 according to the present disclosure, while fig. 4-7 are smaller schematic transverse cross-sectional views illustrating an example of the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100. As illustrated in fig. 3-8, the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 includes an aerodynamically shaped layer 110, a base 120, an intermediate layer 130 extending at least partially between the aerodynamically shaped layer and the base, and a cooling fluid receptacle 150.

The aerodynamically shaped layer 110 may define an aerodynamically shaped surface 112 and an opposite, intermediate layer-facing surface 114. The aerodynamically shaped surface 112 may be shaped to direct the flow of the first fluid flow 80 including the first fluid 84. The aerodynamically shaped layer 110 may also define a plurality of holes 116.

The base 120 defines a base surface 122 facing toward the intermediate layer 130. The intermediate layer 130 defines a shaping layer-facing surface 132 and an opposite base-facing surface 134. The shaping layer facing surface 132 faces or generally faces the aerodynamically shaping layer 110, while the base facing surface 134 faces or generally faces the base 120.

The intermediate layer facing surface 114 at least partially defines a noise attenuation volume 140. The noise attenuation volume 140 is configured to be in fluid communication with the first fluid flow 80 via the aperture 116. Further, the noise attenuation volume 140 is configured to attenuate noise within the first fluid flow 80 or acoustic energy from the first fluid flow 80. In other words, the noise attenuation volume 140 may be configured to attenuate, attenuate (dampen), and/or absorb sound or acoustic waves present and/or propagating within the first fluid flow 80, thereby reducing the intensity, energy, and/or loudness of the acoustic waves. Such a configuration may reduce the level of noise emitted by the system 10 including the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100. By way of example, and when the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 is used within a jet engine 14 as illustrated in fig. 2, the presence of the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 within the jet engine 14 may reduce the intensity, energy, and/or loudness of the sound or sound waves emanating from the jet engine.

The base surface 122 at least partially defines an elongated cooling conduit 160. As illustrated in fig. 3, an elongated cooling conduit 160 may extend between a cooling conduit inlet 162 and a cooling conduit outlet 164. The elongated cooling conduit 160 is configured to receive a cooling fluid 82, which includes the first fluid 84, in heat exchange relationship with the cooling fluid receptacle 150. Referring more generally back to fig. 3-7, the noise attenuation volume 140 is distinct or fluidly isolated from the elongated cooling conduit 160. Furthermore, the intermediate layer 130 at least partially fluidly isolates the noise attenuation volume from the elongated cooling conduit.

The cooling fluid containment body 150 at least partially defines at least one cooling fluid containment conduit 152. As illustrated in fig. 3, the cooling fluid containment duct 152 extends between a cooling fluid containment duct inlet 154 and a cooling fluid containment duct outlet 156 and is configured to receive the cooling flow 90 including the second fluid 92. Examples of the second fluid 92 include heat transfer fluids, heat transfer liquids, oils, hydrocarbons, fluorocarbons, and/or refrigerants.

During operation of the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100, and as discussed in more detail herein with reference to the method 300 of fig. 14, the first fluid flow 80 may flow through and/or past the aerodynamically shaped surface 112 or in through and/or past the aerodynamically shaped surface 112 (be flowed). For example, when the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 is used in the aircraft 12 of fig. 1-2, the aircraft may be in flight and/or the jet engine 14 may be operated to provide power for flowing the first fluid stream 80 in the form of air or ambient air over one or more aerodynamically shaped surfaces 112 of the aircraft 12 and/or its jet engine 14.

As the first fluid flow 80 flows past the aerodynamically shaped surface 112, the acoustic waves present within the first fluid flow may be received into the noise attenuation volume 140 via the aperture 116. The noise attenuation volume 140 may be configured such that sound wave reception therein may attenuate, absorb and/or cause destructive interference of the sound waves, thereby reducing the noise level in the vicinity of the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100. As an example, the noise attenuation volume 140 may be, may define, and/or may be shaped to define a helmholtz resonator 142 that is shaped to resonate at a resonant frequency at or near the sonic frequency. As a more specific example, the size of the noise attenuation volume 140 may be such that the distance sound waves travel when entering the noise attenuation volume may be about twice the wavelength of the sound waves. In the configuration illustrated in fig. 3, this may be achieved by specifying distance 144 to be approximately twice the wavelength of the acoustic wave. In the configurations illustrated in fig. 4-7, this may be accomplished via selection of the angles and/or dimensions of the triangular noise attenuation volumes, and discussed in more detail herein. As further examples, one or more materials present within the noise attenuation volume 140 may absorb acoustic energy, may attenuate acoustic energy, and/or may attenuate acoustic energy via viscous losses.

Concurrently with the flow of the first fluid stream 80 across the aerodynamic forming surface 112, and as perhaps most clearly illustrated in fig. 3 and 7, the cooling stream 90 comprising the second fluid 92 flows through the cooling fluid containment duct 152 or in through the cooling fluid containment duct 152. The cooling fluid 82 including the first fluid 84 flows through the elongated cooling duct 160 or flows in through the elongated cooling duct 160. In the cross-sections shown in fig. 4-6, the flow of the cooling stream and the cooling stream is into and/or out of the plane of the drawing. The flow of the cooling stream 90 through the cooling fluid receiving conduit 152 and the simultaneous flow of the cooling stream 82 through the elongated cooling conduit 160 facilitate heat exchange between the cooling stream 90 and the cooling stream 82 while maintaining fluid separation between the cooling stream and the cooling stream.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the noise attenuation volume 140 and/or the elongated cooling conduit 160 may have any suitable configuration, shape, cross-sectional shape, and/or transverse cross-sectional shape. As an example, and as illustrated in fig. 4-6, the noise attenuation volume and the elongated cooling conduit may have a transverse cross-sectional shape that is triangular, at least substantially triangular, isosceles triangular, and/or at least substantially isosceles triangular, which may be measured transverse to a longitudinal axis 166 of the elongated cooling conduit 160 as illustrated in fig. 3. As further examples, the transverse cross-sectional shape of the noise attenuation volume 140 and/or the elongated cooling conduit 160 may be rectangular, at least substantially rectangular, trapezoidal, and/or polygonal.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 may be flat, at least substantially flat, thin, and/or laminar. As an example, and returning to fig. 3, the distance or average distance between the intermediate layer facing surface 114 and the base surface 122 may be less than a threshold fraction of the maximum range of the aerodynamically shaped surface 112. As another example, the distance or average distance between the intermediate layer facing surface 114 and the base surface 122 may be less than a threshold fraction of the minimum extent of the aerodynamically shaped surface 112. Examples of threshold scores include threshold scores of less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 2.5%, and/or less than 1%.

It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that the distance or average distance between the aerodynamically shaped layer 110 and the base 120 may have any suitable value. By way of example, the distance between the aerodynamically shaped layer 110 and the base 120 can be at least 1 centimeter (cm), at least 1.5cm, at least 2cm, at least 2.5cm, at least 3cm, at least 3.5cm, at least 4cm, at least 5cm, at least 6cm, at least 8cm, at least 10cm, at most 30cm, at most 25cm, at most 20cm, at most 15cm, at most 10cm, at most 8cm, at most 6cm, and/or at most 5cm.

It is within the scope of the present invention that the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 may include a plurality of different noise-attenuating volumes 140. Similarly, the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 may include and/or define a plurality of different elongated cooling ducts 160.

As illustrated in fig. 3-7, the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 may include a plurality of heat transfer-enhancing structures 170. When present, heat transfer-enhancing structure 170 may be configured to enhance heat transfer between cooling flow 90 and cooling flow 82, and may have and/or define any suitable size, shape, and/or configuration. Generally, the heat transfer-enhancing structures 170 may increase the surface area for heat transfer between the cooling flow and the cooling flow, and/or may generate turbulence and/or mixing within the cooling flow and/or within the cooling flow. The heat transfer-enhancing structure 170 may have any suitable form. As an example, the heat transfer-enhancing structure 170 may include one or more of a plurality of protrusions, a plurality of pins (pins), a plurality of posts, and/or a plurality of heat sink fins. Such heat transfer-enhancing structures 170 may protrude from the intermediate layer facing surface 114 and within the noise attenuation volume 140, from the shaping layer facing surface 132 and within the noise attenuation volume 140, from the base facing surface 134 and within the elongated cooling conduit 160, from the base surface 122 and within the elongated cooling conduit 160, from the cooling fluid containment body 150 and within the cooling fluid containment conduit 152, and/or from the base facing surface 134 and within the cooling fluid containment conduit 152.

As illustrated in fig. 3-6, the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 may also include a support member 180. When present, the support elements 180 may support the aerodynamic shaping layer 110, the base 120, the intermediate layer 130, and/or the cooling fluid containment body 150. As an example, the support element 180 may extend between two or more components of the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 and may serve to maintain a fixed, or at least substantially fixed, relative orientation between the two or more components of the noise-attenuating heat exchanger. As more specific examples, one or more support elements 180 may extend between the aerodynamic shaping layer 110 and the intermediate layer 130, between the intermediate layer 130 and the cooling fluid containment body 150, between the cooling fluid containment body 150 and the base 120, and/or between two or more cooling fluid containment bodies 150.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that support element 180 may be separate, distinct, and/or spaced apart from heat transfer-enhancing structure 170 when both support element 180 and heat transfer-enhancing structure 170 are present. Alternatively, a single structure may be used as both the heat transfer-enhancing structure 170 and the support member 180, and it is within the scope of the present disclosure. Such a single structure may extend between two or more components of the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100, thereby supporting the two or more components, and may be thermally conductive, thereby improving heat transfer from or between the two or more components.

Turning more particularly to fig. 4-6, an example of a noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 is illustrated that includes a plurality of noise-attenuating volumes 140 and a plurality of elongated cooling ducts 160 having a triangular, or at least substantially triangular, transverse cross-sectional shape. In these noise-attenuating heat exchangers 100, the noise-attenuating volume 140 is defined between the aerodynamically shaped layer 110 and the intermediate layer 130 or even completely defined by the aerodynamically shaped layer 110 and the intermediate layer 130. Further, an elongated cooling conduit 160 is defined between the intermediate layer 130 and the base 120, or even completely defined by the intermediate layer 130 and the base 120.

As illustrated, the intermediate layer 130 may extend in a zigzag, periodic, repeating, and/or zigzag pattern between the aerodynamically shaped layer 110 and the base 120, thereby defining the triangular transverse cross-sectional shape of the noise attenuation volume 140 and the elongated cooling ducts 160. As discussed, fig. 4-6 illustrate transverse cross-sections of the noise attenuation volume 140 and the elongated cooling conduit 160, which extend in a direction perpendicular to the illustrated plane. In the example of an elongated cooling duct 160, the extension may be between the cooling duct inlet and the cooling duct outlet, as illustrated in fig. 3 at 162 and 164, respectively.

As illustrated in fig. 4, the intermediate layer 130 may intersect or contact the base 120 at a base intersection angle 136 and may intersect or contact the aerodynamic shaping layer 110 at an aerodynamic shaping layer intersection angle 138. Examples of base intersection angle 136 and/or aerodynamic shaping layer intersection angle 138 include angles of at least 30 degrees, at least 35 degrees, at least 40 degrees, at least 45 degrees, at most 60 degrees, at most 55 degrees, at most 50 degrees, and/or at most 45 degrees.

In one example, the base intersection angle 136 and the aerodynamic shaping layer intersection angle 138 may be equal to, or at least substantially equal to, 45 degrees. In this example, and as illustrated in fig. 4, the distance 118 traveled by sound waves entering the noise attenuation volume 140 via the apertures 116 may be equal, or at least substantially equal, regardless of where the sound waves enter the noise attenuation volume. Additionally, when the maximum distance 119 from the surface 114 facing the intermediate layer to the surface 132 facing the shaping layer is equal to the wavelength of the noise to be attenuated, the distance 118 may be equal to twice the wavelength of the acoustic wave.

In the example of fig. 4-6, the cooling fluid containment body 150 includes at least one and optionally a plurality of different cooling fluid containment tubes 151. The cooling fluid containment tube 151 extends within the elongated cooling fluid conduit 160 and along the longitudinal axis of the cooling fluid containment conduit 152. The support elements 180 discussed herein may extend between pairs of cooling fluid containment tubes 151, between a given cooling fluid containment tube 151 and the base 120, and/or between a given cooling fluid containment tube 151 and the intermediate layer 130. In other words, the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 may include at least a first cooling fluid containment tube 151 and a second cooling fluid containment tube 151. The first cooling fluid containment duct may be supported by one or more first support elements 180 and the second cooling fluid containment duct may be supported by one or more second support elements 180. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that support element 180 may be fluid-permeable and/or fluid-impermeable. When the support element 180 is fluid-permeable, the support element may allow or even create a flow of cooling fluid within the elongated cooling conduit 160 in a direction oblique to the longitudinal axis of the elongated cooling conduit. Additionally or alternatively, the fluid-permeable support element 180 may absorb and/or attenuate noise or noise energy from the first fluid flow 80. When the support element 180 is fluid-impermeable, the support element may extend along the length of the cooling fluid containment tube 151 and may restrict the flow of the cooling fluid in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated cooling conduit. Additionally or alternatively, the fluid-impermeable support element 180 may direct or capture acoustic waves into and/or within the channel formed by the fluid-impermeable support element. This may allow absorption and/or attenuation of these acoustic waves over different, varying and/or selected distances.

In the example illustrated in fig. 4, the noise attenuation volume 140 is open, empty, and/or does not include any structure therein. In contrast, and in the example of fig. 5, the noise attenuation volume 140 includes a cooling fluid containment tube 151 and a corresponding support element 180 extending therein. In this example, the noise attenuation volume 140 may also be, may serve as, and/or may be referred to herein as a supplemental elongated cooling conduit 168. Under these conditions, the cooling fluid 82 may also flow within, through, and/or along a length of supplemental elongated cooling conduit 168. These support elements 180 are illustrated in phantom to indicate that the support elements may be fluid-permeable. In the example of fig. 6, and similar to fig. 5, the noise attenuation volume 140 includes a fluid containment tube 151 and a corresponding support element 180. However, some support elements 180 are fluid-permeable, as illustrated by the dashed lines, while other support elements 180 are fluid-impermeable, as illustrated by the solid lines. Such a configuration may provide improved noise attenuation within the noise attenuation volume 140.

Fig. 4-6 illustrate the first fluid flow 80 as flowing from left to right, or in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated cooling conduit 160 and/or the longitudinal axis of the noise attenuation volume 140. However, this illustration is for simplicity, and it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the first fluid flow 80 may flow in any suitable direction along and/or across the aerodynamically shaped surface 112. As an example, the first fluid flow 80 may flow in a direction parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to the longitudinal axis of the elongated cooling conduit 160 and/or the longitudinal axis of the noise attenuation volume 140. This may include flowing into and/or out of the pages in the illustrations of fig. 4-6.

Turning more particularly to fig. 7, another example of a noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 including a plurality of noise-attenuating volumes 140 having a triangular, or at least substantially triangular, transverse cross-sectional shape and a plurality of elongated cooling ducts 160 is shown. In this embodiment, similar to fig. 4-6, the noise attenuation volume 140 is defined between the aerodynamically shaped layer 110 and the intermediate layer 130, or even completely defined by the aerodynamically shaped layer 110 and the intermediate layer 130. However, in contrast to the example of fig. 4-6, the cooling fluid containment body 150 is a cooling fluid containment layer 150, and an elongated cooling conduit 160 is defined between the cooling fluid containment layer 150 and the base 120, or even entirely defined by the cooling fluid containment layer 150 and the base 120. Furthermore, the cooling fluid containment duct 152 is defined between the cooling fluid containment layer 150 and the intermediate layer 130, or even completely defined by the cooling fluid containment layer 150 and the intermediate layer 130. In the example of fig. 7, and similar to fig. 4-6, the cooling fluid receptacle 150 may intersect or contact the base 120 at a base intersection angle 136, and the intermediate layer 130 may intersect or contact the aerodynamic shaping layer 110 at an aerodynamic shaping layer intersection angle 138. Examples of base intersection angles 136 and/or aerodynamic shaping layer intersection angles 138 are disclosed herein.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 and/or various components thereof may be formed of any suitable material and/or in any suitable manner. As an example, the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100, including the aerodynamically shaped layer 110, the base 120, the intermediate layer 130, and/or the cooling fluid receptacle 150, and/or any suitable portion thereof, may be formed via machining and/or additive manufacturing, and may be formed from one or more of thermally conductive materials, thermoplastics, thermoset materials, and/or materials compatible with additive manufacturing processes. Accordingly, the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 may be referred to herein as, may include, and/or may be a unitary structure defining the aerodynamically shaped layer 110, the base 120, the intermediate layer 130, and/or the cooling fluid containment body 150.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a dendritic heat exchanger 200 according to the present disclosure. 9-11 are smaller schematic transverse cross-sectional views of the example of the dendritic heat exchanger 200 of FIG. 8 taken along line A-A of FIG. 8, and FIG. 12 isbase:Sub>A smaller schematic transverse cross-sectional view of the example of the dendritic heat exchanger 200 of FIG. 8 taken along line B-B of FIG. 8 (as illustrated by the solid lines) and along line C-C of FIG. 8 (as illustrated by the solid and dashed lines). FIG. 13 is a smaller schematic profile view illustrating an example of a dendritic heat exchanger 200 according to the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the dendritic heat exchanger 200 can be configured to exchange thermal energy between the first fluid stream 80 and the second fluid stream 90. With continued reference to FIG. 8, the dendritic heat exchanger 200 includes an elongated shell 210 that can extend between a first end 211 and a second end 212 and define a shell volume 213. The elongated housing 210 includes a first fluid inlet 214, a first fluid outlet 215, a second fluid inlet 216, and a second fluid outlet 217. The first fluid inlet 214 is configured to receive the first fluid flow 80 as a first fluid inlet flow 86 into the shell volume 213, and the first fluid outlet 215 is configured to discharge the first fluid flow 80 from the shell volume 213 as a first fluid outlet flow 88. Similarly, the second fluid inlet 216 is configured to receive the second fluid flow 90 as a second fluid inlet flow 96 into the shell volume 213, and the second fluid outlet 217 is configured to discharge the second fluid flow 90 from the shell volume 213 as a second fluid outlet flow 98. FIG. 8 illustrates the first fluid inlet flow 86, the first fluid outlet flow 88, the first fluid inlet 214, and the first fluid outlet 215 in dashed lines to indicate that the dendritic heat exchanger 200 can be configured for both co-current and counter-current flow of the first fluid flow 80 and the second fluid flow 90.

The dendritic heat exchanger 200 also includes a heat exchange structure 220 extending within the shell volume 213, and the examples of fig. 8-13 illustrate various configurations for the heat exchange structure 220. The heat exchange structure 220 may be referred to herein as being configured to receive the second fluid inlet flow 96 to produce the second fluid outlet flow 98, flow the second fluid flow 90 in heat exchange relationship with the first fluid flow 80, and/or maintain a fluid separation between the first fluid flow 80 and the second fluid flow 90 within the shell volume 213.

The heat exchange structure 220 includes a plurality of dendritic tubes 230. Each dendritic tube member 230 includes an inlet region 240 as illustrated in fig. 8-11 and 13 and a branch region 250 as illustrated in fig. 8 and 12-13. The inlet region 240 defines an inlet conduit 242 configured to receive a portion 244 of the second fluid flow 90 from the second fluid inlet 216. The branching region 250 defines a plurality of branch conduits 252 extending from the inlet conduit 242. Each branch conduit 252 is configured to receive a respective fraction 254 of the portion 244 of the second fluid stream 90 from the inlet conduit 242. Further, each branch conduit 252 is configured to provide, directly or indirectly, a respective fraction 254 to the second fluid outlet 217 to at least partially define the second fluid outlet stream 98.

During operation of the dendritic heat exchanger 200, and as discussed in more detail herein with reference to the method 400 of FIG. 15, the first fluid stream 80 may be received into the shell volume 213 of the elongated shell 210 via the first fluid inlet 214. The first fluid stream 80 may flow in heat exchange relationship with the heat exchange structure 220 before being discharged from the shell volume 213 via the first fluid outlet 215. This may include flowing the first fluid stream 80 into and/or around the dendritic tube 230 of the heat exchange structure 220. Thus, the first fluid stream 80 may be referred to herein as being split and/or divided into a plurality of sub-streams within the dendritic heat exchanger 200.

Meanwhile, the second fluid flow 90 may be received into the heat exchange structure 220 via the second fluid inlet 216, and may be split and/or divided into a plurality of portions 244 of the second fluid flow 90. The portion 244 may flow through the respective inlet conduit 242 of the respective dendritic tube 230 before being split into the respective fractions 254 of the portion 244 of the second fluid stream 90 in the branching region 250. The fractions 254 may flow within the respective branch conduits 252 of the branch zone 250 before being discharged from the dendritic heat exchanger 200 via the second fluid outlet 217.

The flow of both the first and second fluid streams 80, 90 through the respective regions of the dendritic heat exchanger 200 may facilitate or cause heat exchange or transfer between the first and second fluid streams. The branching of the dendritic tube 230 within the dendritic heat exchanger 200 may increase the surface area for heat transfer between the first fluid stream 80 and the second fluid stream 90 when compared to conventional heat exchangers that do not include the dendritic tube 230.

The dendritic tube 230 may include any suitable structure that may include and/or define an inlet region 240, an inlet conduit 242, a branch region 250, and/or a branch conduit 252. As an example, the dendritic tube 230 can include and/or can be an elongated dendritic tube 230 and/or can extend between at least a majority of a distance between the first end 211 and the second end 212 of the elongated housing 210. As an example, the dendritic tube 230 may extend at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, and/or at least 95% of the distance between the first end 211 and the second end 212. As another example, the dendritic tube 230 can extend along the housing volume 213 and/or the elongate axis 218 of the elongate housing 210. As yet another example, each dendritic tube 230 can extend along a respective tube axis 232, and the respective tube axis 232 of each dendritic tube 230 can be parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to the respective tube axis 232 of each other dendritic tube 230.

As perhaps best illustrated in fig. 9-13, the dendritic tube members 230 may be spaced apart from one another within the shell volume 213. Such a configuration may allow and/or facilitate fluid flow between and/or around the dendritic tube 230, thereby enhancing heat transfer thereof.

The dendritic tubes 230 can be arranged in any suitable spacing and/or relative orientation within the transverse cross-section of the heat exchange structure 220. By way of example, and as illustrated in fig. 9-13, the dendritic tube members 230 can be arranged in a patterned array and/or at the vertices of a repeating geometry, at least a portion of which can be illustrated by fig. 9-13. As another example, and as illustrated in fig. 9 and 12-13, the dendritic tube members 230 can be arranged at the vertices of triangles, which can increase the stiffness and/or strength of the heat exchange structure 220. As a further example, and as illustrated in fig. 10, the dendritic tube members 230 may be arranged at the vertices of a square or rectangle. As another example, and as illustrated in fig. 11, dendritic tube elements may be arranged at the vertices of a hexagon.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the transverse cross-sectional area of each branch conduit 252 may be different from or may be less than the transverse cross-sectional area of the respective inlet conduit in fluid communication with the branch conduit. Additionally or alternatively, a sum of the cross-sectional areas of each of the plurality of branch conduits may be within a threshold fraction of the transverse cross-sectional area of the inlet conduit. Examples of threshold scores include threshold scores of at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 100%, at least 200%, at least 300%, at least 400%, at most 600%, at most 500%, at most 400%, at most 300%, at most 200%, at most 150%, at most 140%, at most 130%, at most 120%, at most 110%, and/or at most 100%. To accommodate or provide space for the branching nature (nature) of the dendritic tube 230, the elongated shell 210 may be curved, may expand, and/or may increase in transverse cross-sectional area along its length, as illustrated by the dashed lines in fig. 8.

As illustrated by the dashed lines in fig. 8 and 12, the branching region 250 may be a first branching region 250, the branch conduit 252 may be a first branch conduit 252, and the dendritic tube 230 further may include a second branching region 256. When present, each second branch region 256 extends from a respective first branch conduit 252 of a respective first branch region 250, and may include a plurality of second branch conduits 258. As an example, at least two second branch conduits 258 may extend from each first branch conduit 252. At least two second branch conduits 258 may be configured to receive respective sub-fractions 259 of fraction 254 of portion 244 of second fluid inlet stream 96 and provide respective sub-fractions 259 to second fluid outlet 217 to at least partially define second fluid outlet stream 98.

In other words, the dendritic tube 230 can include and/or define a plurality of subsequent branching regions downstream of the branching region 250. Each subsequent branching region may be configured to receive a respective sub-fraction of the respective fraction 254 of the portion 244 of the second fluid inlet stream 96 from the upstream branching region or its branching conduit.

As illustrated in fig. 8, it is also within the scope of the present disclosure that the dendritic tube 230 may include one or more combining regions 260. When present, the combining zone 260 may be configured to receive the respective fractions 254 of the portions 244 of the second fluid inlet stream 96 from the at least two branch conduits 252 and combine the respective fractions 254 to at least partially define the second fluid outlet stream 98. The combined region 260 may be similarly shaped as the branched region 250 or may be a mirror image of the branched region 250.

Similar to the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 disclosed herein, the dendritic heat exchanger 200 may include a heat transfer-enhancing structure 170 and/or a support element 180. The heat exchange structure 170 may enhance heat transfer within the dendritic heat exchanger 200, while the support element 180 may support the heat exchange structure 220 and/or its dendritic tube 230.

The heat transfer-enhancing structure 170 may extend from any suitable portion of the dendritic heat exchanger 200, such as from the elongated shell 210 and/or the heat exchange structure 220. As more specific examples, the heat transfer-enhancing structure 170 and/or the support element 180 may extend between the elongated housing 210 and the heat exchange structure 220, may extend between the elongated housing 210 and the dendritic tube 230, and/or may extend between respective pairs of the dendritic tube 230.

Similar to the support elements 180 of the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100, the support elements 180 used within the dendritic heat exchanger 200 may be porous or fluid-permeable, may be fluid-impermeable, may be thermally conductive, and/or may serve as the heat transfer-enhancing structure 170. The fluid-impermeable support element 180 may also be referred to herein as an inner wall 182, and may extend between and/or along the length of a respective pair of dendritic tubes 230. When present, the inner wall 182 may define one or more first fluid conduits 219, which may direct the first fluid stream 80 to flow directly within the dendritic heat exchanger 200, as illustrated in FIG. 13.

With continued reference to FIG. 13, a more specific example of a dendritic heat exchanger 200 according to the present disclosure is illustrated. The dendritic heat exchanger 200 of FIG. 13 can be formed via an additive manufacturing process; however, this is not essential. As illustrated in fig. 13, the inlet conduit 242 of the dendritic tube member 230 may branch or split into two or more branch conduits 252 within respective branch regions 250. As discussed herein, this branching may occur any suitable number of times and may divide portion 244 of second fluid stream 92 into respective fractions 254. As illustrated in fig. 13, the branching regions 250 may extend from the respective inlet regions 240 in a smooth, continuous, and/or arcuate manner. This may include extending at a branch conduit angle 253, examples of which include obtuse branch conduit angles and/or branch conduit angles of at least 100 degrees, at least 110 degrees, at least 120 degrees, at least 130 degrees, at least 140 degrees, at most 170 degrees, at most 160 degrees, at most 150 degrees, at most 140 degrees, at most 130 degrees, and/or at most 120 degrees. As also illustrated in fig. 13, the branching may cause the dendritic heat exchanger 200 to assume a regular and/or repeating transverse cross-sectional pattern of its dendritic tubes 230 that becomes more and more finely distributed as the branching increases, as illustrated in fig. 12.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the dendritic heat exchanger 200 and/or various components thereof may be formed from any suitable material and/or in any suitable manner. As an example, the dendritic heat exchanger 200, including the elongated housing 210, the heat exchange structure 220, and/or the dendritic tube member 230, and/or any suitable portion thereof, can be formed via machining and/or additive manufacturing, and can be formed from one or more thermally conductive materials and/or materials compatible with the additive manufacturing process. Accordingly, the dendritic heat exchanger 200 can be referred to herein as, can include, and/or can be a unitary structure defining the elongated housing 210, the heat exchange structure 220, and/or the dendritic tube 230.

The dendritic heat exchanger 200 has been described herein as exchanging thermal energy between the first fluid stream 80 and the second fluid stream 90. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the dendritic heat exchanger 200 can exchange thermal energy between the first fluid stream 80 and a plurality of different second fluid streams 90. In such a configuration, the at least one dendritic tube 230 of the heat exchange structure 220 can receive each of the plurality of distinct second fluid streams; and the heat exchange structure 220 may maintain fluid isolation between the plurality of different second fluid streams. Additionally or alternatively, and as illustrated by the dashed lines in FIG. 8, the dendritic heat exchanger 200 can include a plurality of heat exchange structures 220, each heat exchange structure 220 receiving a respective second fluid stream of the plurality of second fluid streams. Regardless of the exact configuration, when the dendritic heat exchanger 200 exchanges thermal energy between the first fluid stream 80 and the plurality of different second fluid streams 90, the dendritic heat exchanger may include a plurality of second fluid inlets 216 and/or a plurality of second fluid outlets 217 as illustrated by the dashed lines in FIG. 8.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that any of the components, structures, and/or features disclosed herein with reference to the dendritic heat exchanger 200 can be included in and/or used with the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100. Similarly, any of the components, structures, and/or features disclosed herein with reference to the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 may be included in and/or used with the dendritic heat exchanger 200 within the scope of the present disclosure.

As an example, the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 according to the present disclosure may include and/or utilize the intermediate layer 130 and the base layer 120 to form and/or define the elongated shell 210 of the dendritic heat exchanger 200. As another example, the cooling fluid containment body 150 of the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 according to the present disclosure may define at least a portion of the heat exchange structure 220 of the dendritic heat exchanger 200. As yet another example, the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 according to the present disclosure may utilize elongated cooling conduits 160 as the shell volume 213 of the dendritic heat exchanger 200. As another example, the noise-attenuating heat exchanger 100 according to the present disclosure may utilize the cooling fluid containment 150 to define the dendritic tube 230 of the dendritic heat exchanger 200. As a more specific example, and referring to fig. 4-6, the cooling fluid containment tube 151 may be dendritic or may include any suitable structure, function, and/or features of the dendritic tube 230 of fig. 8-13.

Fig. 14 is a flow chart depicting a method 300 of exchanging heat and attenuating noise within a noise-attenuating heat exchanger according to the present disclosure. The method 300 includes flowing a first fluid stream at 310, receiving acoustic waves at 320, attenuating the acoustic waves at 330, and receiving a cooling stream at 340. Method 300 may include flowing a cooling stream in a closed loop at 350, and further include receiving a cooling stream at 360 and maintaining fluid separation at 370.

Flowing the first fluid stream at 310 may include flowing a first fluid stream including a first fluid past an aerodynamically shaped surface. The aerodynamically shaped surface may be defined by an aerodynamically shaped layer of a noise-attenuating heat exchanger, such as aerodynamically shaped layer 110 in fig. 3-7. Examples of first fluids are disclosed herein.

Receiving the sound waves at 320 may include receiving the sound waves propagating within the first fluid flow into a noise attenuation volume of the noise-attenuating heat exchanger. The receiving at 320 may be simultaneous with the flow at 310, based on the flow at 310, and/or be a result of the flow at 310.

The noise attenuation volume may be at least partially defined by the aerodynamic shaping layer, and the receiving at 320 may include receiving the sound waves via a plurality of holes defined within the aerodynamic shaping layer. Referring to the noise attenuation volume 140 of fig. 3-7, examples of noise attenuation volumes are disclosed herein. Referring to the aperture 116 of fig. 3-7, examples of apertures are disclosed herein.

Attenuating the sound waves at 330 may include attenuating the sound waves within the noise attenuation volume. The attenuation at 330 may be simultaneous with the flow at 310 and/or the reception at 320, based on the flow at 310 and/or the reception at 320 and/or a result of the flow at 310 and/or the reception at 320.

As discussed herein, the noise attenuation volume may form and/or define a helmholtz resonator, which may be configured to attenuate sound waves. As an example, and as also discussed herein, the noise attenuation volume may be configured such that the sound waves travel a distance within the noise attenuation volume that is at least substantially equal to the wavelength of the sound waves.

Receiving the cooling stream at 340 may include receiving a cooling stream including a second fluid. The second fluid may be separate from the first fluid, may be fluidly separate from the first fluid, and/or may be fluidly isolated from the first fluid. Examples of second fluids are disclosed herein, and the receiving at 340 may be simultaneous with the flowing at 310, the receiving at 320, and/or the attenuating at 330.

The receiving at 340 may include receiving the cooling flow with a cooling fluid containment conduit. The cooling fluid containment duct may be at least partially defined by the cooling fluid containment body of the noise-attenuating heat exchanger. Referring to the cooling fluid containment duct 152 of fig. 3-7, examples of cooling fluid containment ducts are disclosed herein. With reference to the cooling fluid containment body 150 and/or the cooling fluid containment tube 151 of fig. 3-7, examples of cooling fluid containment bodies are disclosed herein.

Flowing the cooling flow in a closed loop at 350 may include flowing the cooling flow in a closed loop within a system, such as an aircraft and/or a jet engine of the aircraft, to cool a cooling component of the system. In other words, the cooling flow may be contained and/or retained within the system, and the flowing at 350 may include circulating the cooling flow within the system to use, via, and/or utilize the cooling flow to cool the cooling component.

Receiving the cooling flow at 360 may include receiving the cooling flow including the first fluid into an elongated cooling conduit at least partially defined by a base of the noise-attenuating heat exchanger. The receiving at 360 may be simultaneous with the flow at 310, based on the flow at 310, and/or be a result of the flow at 310. As an example, receiving at 360 may include separating the cooling stream from the remainder of the first fluid stream at a cooling conduit inlet of the elongated cooling conduit. Additionally or alternatively, the receiving at 360 may be concurrent with the receiving at 320, the attenuating at 330, the receiving at 340, and/or the flowing at 350.

The receiving at 360 may include receiving the cooling fluid into or in heat exchange relationship with the cooling fluid receptacle to cool the cooling fluid receptacle and/or the cooling fluid with the cooling fluid. Referring to the elongated cooling conduit 160 of fig. 3-7, examples of elongated cooling conduits are disclosed herein. Referring to the cooling conduit inlet 162 of fig. 3, an example of a cooling conduit inlet is disclosed herein. Referring to the base 120 of fig. 3-7, examples of bases are disclosed herein.

As discussed herein, the noise-attenuating heat exchanger may be used in a system such as an aircraft and/or a jet engine of an aircraft. Under these conditions, the receiving at 360 may include receiving a flow of compressed air from a fan of a jet engine of the aircraft.

Maintaining fluid separation at 370 may include maintaining fluid separation between the cooling stream and the cooling stream within the noise-attenuating heat exchanger. The holding at 370 may be accomplished in any suitable manner. As an example, the cooling fluid receptacle may at least partially or even completely fluidly isolate the cooling fluid from the cooling fluid within the noise-attenuating heat exchanger.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart depicting a method 400 of exchanging heat in a dendritic heat exchanger according to the present disclosure. The method 400 includes receiving a first fluid stream at 405, flowing the first fluid stream at 410, and discharging the first fluid stream at 415. The method 400 further includes receiving the second fluid stream at 420, splitting the second fluid stream at 425, flowing a portion of the second fluid stream at 430, and splitting the portion of the second fluid stream at 435. The method 400 further includes flowing a fraction of the portion of the second fluid stream at 440 and discharging a fraction of the portion of the second fluid stream at 445. The method 400 may also include flowing a second fluid stream in a closed loop at 450.

Receiving the first fluid stream at 405 may include receiving the first fluid stream into a shell volume of the dendritic heat exchanger. This may include receiving the first fluid flow as a first fluid inlet flow and/or receiving the first fluid flow into the housing volume via a first fluid inlet of an elongate housing defining the housing volume. As discussed herein, the dendritic heat exchanger can be used within an aircraft and/or within a jet engine of an aircraft. Under these conditions, the receiving at 405 may include receiving a flow of compressed air from a jet engine.

Examples of first fluid flows are disclosed herein. Referring to the elongated housing 210 of fig. 8, an example of an elongated housing is disclosed herein. Referring to the shell volume 213 of fig. 8, examples of shell volumes are disclosed herein. Referring to the first fluid inlet 214 of fig. 8, examples of first fluid inlets are disclosed herein.

Flowing the first fluid stream at 410 may include flowing the first stream within the housing volume. This may include flowing the first stream in heat exchange relationship with a heat exchange structure that extends or is positioned within the housing volume. The flow at 410 may be concurrent with the reception at 405, based on the reception at 405 and/or the result of the reception at 405. Referring to the heat exchange structure 220 of fig. 8-13, examples of heat exchange structures are disclosed herein.

Discharging the first fluid flow at 415 may include discharging the first fluid flow from the shell volume. This may include discharging the first fluid stream from the first fluid outlet of the elongate housing as a first fluid outlet stream. The draining at 415 may be simultaneous with the receiving at 405 and/or the flow at 410, based on the receiving at 405 and/or the flow at 410 and/or be a result of the receiving at 405 and/or the flow at 410. Referring to the first fluid outlet 215 of fig. 8, examples of first fluid outlets are disclosed herein.

Receiving the second fluid stream at 420 may include receiving the second fluid stream into the heat exchange structure as a second fluid inlet stream. This may include receiving a second fluid flow using, via, and/or with a second fluid inlet of the elongated housing. As discussed, the dendritic heat exchanger can be used within an aircraft and/or within a jet engine. Under these conditions, the receiving at 420 may include receiving the second fluid stream from a jet engine and/or a cooling component of the aircraft.

The receiving at 420 may be simultaneous with the receiving at 405, the flowing at 410, and/or the draining at 415. Referring to the second fluid inlet 216 of fig. 8, an example of a second fluid inlet is disclosed herein.

Splitting the second fluid flow at 425 may include splitting the second fluid flow or the second fluid inlet flow into a plurality of portions of the second fluid inlet flow. This may include splitting and/or using the second fluid flow within the heat exchange structure, via and/or with a plurality of dendritic tubes of the heat exchange structure. The splitting at 425 may be simultaneous with the receiving at 405, the flowing at 410, the discharging at 415, and/or the receiving at 420. The separation at 425 may also be based on the reception at 420, in response to the reception at 420, and/or a result of the reception at 420. Referring to portion 244 of fig. 8 and 13, examples of portions of the second fluid flow are disclosed herein. Referring to the dendritic tube 230 of fig. 8-13, examples of dendritic tubes are disclosed herein.

Flowing the portion of the second fluid stream at 430 can include flowing each of the plurality of portions of the second fluid stream within the respective inlet conduit of the respective dendritic tube member of the plurality of dendritic tube members. The flow at 430 may be simultaneous with the receiving at 405, the flow at 410, the discharging at 415, the receiving at 420, and/or the splitting at 425. The flow at 430 may also be based on the receiving at 420 and/or the splitting at 425, in response to the receiving at 420 and/or the splitting at 425, and/or as a result of the receiving at 420 and/or the splitting at 425. With reference to the inlet conduits 242 of the inlet region 240 of fig. 8-11 and 13, examples of inlet conduits are disclosed herein.

Splitting the portion of the second fluid stream at 435 may include splitting each of the plurality of portions of the second fluid stream into a plurality of respective fractions. This may include using, via, and/or utilizing a branching region for each dendritic tube. The splitting at 435 can be simultaneous with the receiving at 405, the flowing at 410, the discharging at 415, the receiving at 420, the splitting at 425, and/or the flowing at 430. The splitting at 435 may also be based on the receiving at 420, the splitting at 425, and/or the flow at 430, in response to the receiving at 420, the splitting at 425, and/or the flow at 430, and/or be a result of the receiving at 420, the splitting at 425, and/or the flow at 430. Referring to FIG. 8 and the branching region 250 of FIGS. 12-13, examples of branching regions are disclosed herein.

Flowing the fraction of the portion of the second fluid stream at 440 may include flowing the fraction within a plurality of respective branch conduits of each dendritic tube. The branch conduits may be formed and/or defined by branch regions of the dendritic tube. The flow at 440 may be simultaneous with the receiving at 405, the flow at 410, the discharging at 415, the receiving at 420, the splitting at 425, the flow at 430, and/or the splitting at 435. The flow at 440 may also be based on the receiving at 420, the splitting at 425, the flow at 430, and/or the splitting at 435, in response to the receiving at 420, the splitting at 425, the flow at 430, and/or the splitting at 435 and/or being a result of the receiving at 420, the splitting at 425, the flow at 430, and/or the splitting at 435. Referring to fig. 8 and branch conduit 252 of fig. 12-13, examples of branch conduits are disclosed herein.

Discharging the fraction of the portion of the second fluid stream at 445 may include discharging the fraction from the housing volume via the second fluid outlet of the elongated housing. This may include discharging the fraction as a second fluid outlet stream flowing from the dendritic heat exchanger. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the draining at 445 may include combining fractions within the second fluid outlet and/or within one or more combining zones of the dendritic tube. The draining at 445 may be simultaneous with the receiving at 405, the flow at 410, the draining at 415, the receiving at 420, the splitting at 425, the flow at 430, the splitting at 435, and/or the flow at 440. The discharge at 445 may also be based on the receiving at 420, the splitting at 425, the flow at 430, the splitting at 435, and/or the flow at 440, in response to the receiving at 420, the splitting at 425, the flow at 430, the splitting at 435, and/or the flow at 440 and/or as a result of the receiving at 420, the splitting at 425, the flow at 430, the splitting at 435, and/or the flow at 440. Referring to the second fluid outlet 215 of fig. 8, examples of second fluid outlets are disclosed herein. With reference to the second fluid outlet flow 98 of fig. 8, an example of a second fluid outlet flow is disclosed herein. Referring to the combined region 260 of fig. 8, examples of combined regions are disclosed herein.

Flowing the second fluid stream in the closed loop at 450 may include flowing the second fluid stream in the closed loop within a system, such as an aircraft and/or a jet engine of the aircraft, to cool a cooling component of the system. In other words, the second fluid stream may be contained and/or retained within the system, and the flow at 450 may include circulating the second fluid stream within the system, e.g., using, via, and/or utilizing the first fluid stream to cool the cooling component.

Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of inventive subject matter according to this disclosure are described in the following enumerated paragraphs:

A1. a noise-attenuating heat exchanger comprising:

an aerodynamically shaped layer;

a base;

an intermediate layer extending at least partially between the aerodynamically shaped layer and the base; and

a cooling fluid containment body;

wherein:

(i) The aerodynamically shaped layer defines an aerodynamically shaped surface that is shaped to direct a flow of a first fluid stream comprising the first fluid, an opposite interlayer-facing surface that faces toward the interlayer, and a plurality of apertures;

(ii) The intermediate layer defines a shaping layer-facing surface facing the aerodynamic shaping layer, and an opposite base-facing surface facing the base;

(iii) The base defines a base surface facing the intermediate layer;

(iv) A surface of the aerodynamically shaped layer facing the intermediate layer at least partially defines a noise attenuation volume configured to be in fluid communication with the first fluid flow via the plurality of holes and configured to attenuate acoustic energy from the first fluid flow;

(v) The base surface of the base at least partially defines an elongated cooling conduit extending between a cooling conduit inlet and a cooling conduit outlet and configured to receive a cooling fluid comprising a first fluid in heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid receptacle;

(vi) The noise attenuation volume is distinct from the elongated cooling fluid conduit and the intermediate layer at least partially fluidly isolates the noise attenuation volume from the elongated cooling fluid conduit; and

(vii) The cooling fluid containment body at least partially defines a cooling fluid containment duct extending between a cooling fluid containment duct inlet and a cooling fluid containment duct outlet and configured to receive a cooling flow comprising a second fluid.

A2. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of paragraph A1, wherein the cooling fluid containment body is a cooling fluid containment layer, and further wherein the cooling fluid containment duct is defined between the cooling fluid containment layer and the intermediate layer.

A3. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of paragraph A2, wherein the noise-attenuating volume is defined between, and optionally by, the aerodynamically shaped layer and the intermediate layer.

A4. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A2-A3, wherein the elongated cooling conduit is defined between, and optionally by, the cooling fluid containment layer and the base.

A5. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A2-A4, wherein the cooling fluid containment layer contacts the base at a base intersection angle, wherein the base intersection angle is measured within the elongated cooling conduit and transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongated cooling conduit, and optionally wherein the base intersection angle is at least one of:

(i) At least 30 degrees;

(ii) At least 35 degrees;

(iii) At least 40 degrees;

(iv) At least 45 degrees;

(v) At most 60 degrees;

(vi) At most 55 degrees;

(vii) At most 50 degrees;

(viii) At most 45 degrees; and

(ix) At least substantially equal to 45 degrees.

A6. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A1-A5, wherein the intermediate layer contacts the aerodynamically shaped layers at an aerodynamic shaping layer intersection angle, wherein the aerodynamic shaping layer intersection angle is measured within the noise attenuation volume and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated cooling conduit, and optionally wherein the aerodynamic shaping layer intersection angle is at least one of:

(i) At least 30 degrees;

(ii) At least 35 degrees;

(iii) At least 40 degrees;

(iv) At least 45 degrees;

(v) At most 60 degrees;

(vi) At most 55 degrees;

(vii) At most 50 degrees;

(viii) At most 45 degrees; and

(ix) At least substantially equal to 45 degrees.

A6.1 the noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A1-A6, wherein the noise-attenuating heat exchanger is at least one of:

(i) Comprising a unitary structure defining at least two of an aerodynamically shaped layer, a base, an intermediate layer and a cooling fluid receptacle; and

(ii) Formed via additive manufacturing.

A7. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A1-a6.1, wherein the noise-attenuating volume is defined between the aerodynamically shaped layer and the intermediate layer, and optionally by the aerodynamically shaped layer and the intermediate layer, and further wherein the elongated cooling conduit is defined between, and optionally by, the intermediate layer and the base.

A8. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of paragraph A7, wherein the intermediate layer contacts the base at a base intersection angle, wherein the base intersection angle is measured within the elongated cooling conduit and transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongated cooling conduit, and optionally wherein the base intersection angle is at least one of:

(i) At least 30 degrees;

(ii) At least 35 degrees;

(iii) At least 40 degrees;

(iv) At least 45 degrees;

(v) At most 60 degrees;

(vi) At most 55 degrees;

(vii) At most 50 degrees;

(viii) At most 45 degrees; and

(ix) At least substantially equal to 45 degrees.

A9. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A7-A8, wherein the intermediate layer contacts the aerodynamically-shaped layers at an aerodynamic-shaped-layer intersection angle, wherein the aerodynamic-shaped-layer intersection angle is measured within the noise-attenuating volume and is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated cooling conduit, and optionally wherein the base intersection angle is at least one of:

(i) At least 30 degrees;

(ii) At least 35 degrees;

(iii) At least 40 degrees;

(iv) At least 45 degrees;

(v) At most 60 degrees;

(vi) At most 55 degrees;

(vii) At most 50 degrees;

(viii) At most 45 degrees; and

(ix) At least substantially equal to 45 degrees.

A10. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A7-A9, wherein the cooling fluid containment body comprises a cooling fluid containment tube extending within the elongated cooling conduit, and optionally a plurality of different cooling fluid containment tubes.

A11. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of paragraph a10, wherein the noise-attenuating heat exchanger further includes a plurality of support elements extending between the cooling fluid-containing tubing and at least one of the intermediate layer and the base.

A12. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A7-a11, wherein the cooling fluid containment tube is a first cooling fluid containment tube, and further wherein the noise-attenuating heat exchanger comprises a second cooling fluid containment tube extending within the noise-attenuating volume, and optionally a plurality of different second cooling fluid containment tubes.

A13. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of paragraph a12, wherein the noise-attenuating heat exchanger further includes a plurality of second support elements extending between the second cooling fluid-containing tube and at least one of the intermediate layer and the aerodynamic shaping layer.

A14. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of paragraph a13, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of second support elements are fluid-permeable.

A15. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs a13-a14, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of second support elements are fluid-impermeable.

A16. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A1-a15, wherein the shape of the transverse cross-section of at least one of the noise-attenuating volume and the elongated cooling conduit, as measured transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated cooling conduit, is at least one of:

(i) A triangle shape;

(ii) At least substantially triangular;

(iii) An isosceles triangle;

(iv) At least substantially isosceles triangles;

(v) A rectangle shape; and

(vi) At least substantially rectangular.

A17. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A1-a16, wherein the average distance between the surface of the aerodynamically shaped layer that faces the intermediate layer and the base surface of the base layer is less than the threshold fraction of the maximum extent of the aerodynamically shaped surface of the aerodynamically shaped layer, optionally wherein the threshold fraction of the maximum extent of the aerodynamically shaped surface is less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 2.5%, or less than 1%.

A18. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A1-a17, wherein the average distance between the surface of the aerodynamically shaped layer that faces the intermediate layer and the base surface of the base layer is less than the threshold fraction of the minimum extent of the aerodynamically shaped surface of the aerodynamically shaped layer, optionally wherein the threshold fraction of the minimum extent of the aerodynamically shaped surface is less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 2.5%, or less than 1%.

A19. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A1-a18, wherein the noise-attenuating volume defines a helmholtz resonator.

A20. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A1-a19, wherein the noise-attenuating volume is configured to receive sound waves from the first fluid stream via the aperture and attenuate the sound waves therein.

A21. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A1-a20, wherein the noise attenuation volume is configured to receive the sound waves from the first fluid flow via the aperture, and further wherein a distance traveled by the sound waves within the noise attenuation volume is at least substantially equal to twice a wavelength of a target sound wave attenuation frequency.

A22. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A1-a21, wherein the noise-attenuating heat exchanger further comprises a plurality of heat transfer enhancing structures configured to enhance heat transfer between the cooling stream and the cooling stream.

A23. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of paragraph a22, wherein the plurality of heat transfer enhancement structures comprises at least one of:

(i) A plurality of protrusions;

(ii) A plurality of pins;

(iii) A plurality of columns; and

(iv) A plurality of heat dissipating fins.

A24. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs a22-a23, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of heat transfer enhancing structures is at least one of:

(i) Protruding from a surface of the aerodynamically shaped layer facing the intermediate layer and within the noise attenuation volume;

(ii) Projecting from a surface of the intermediate layer facing the shaping layer and within the noise attenuation volume;

(iii) Projecting from a base-facing surface of the intermediate layer and within the elongated cooling conduit;

(iv) Projecting from the base surface of the base layer and within an elongated cooling conduit; and

(v) Projects from the cooling fluid container and is located in an elongated cooling conduit.

A25. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A1-a24, wherein the noise-attenuating heat exchanger comprises a plurality of different noise-attenuating volumes.

A26. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A1-a25, wherein the noise-attenuating heat exchanger comprises a plurality of different elongated cooling ducts.

A27. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A1-a26, wherein the first fluid comprises air and optionally ambient air.

A28. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A1-a27, wherein the second fluid comprises at least one of:

(i) A heat transfer fluid;

(ii) A heat transfer liquid; and

(iii) And (3) oil.

A29. Jet engine apparatus comprising:

a fan;

a fan housing;

a turbine assembly mechanically connected to the fan and configured to rotate with the fan;

a turbine housing at least partially surrounding the turbine assembly and defining a housing aerodynamically shaped surface;

a nacelle at least partially surrounding the fan, turbine, and turbine housing and defining a nacelle aerodynamically shaped surface; and

the noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs A1-a28, wherein the aerodynamically shaped surface of the noise-attenuating heat exchanger forms at least a portion of at least one of the housing aerodynamically shaped surface and the nacelle aerodynamically shaped surface.

A30. An aircraft comprising the jet engine of paragraph a29.

A31. The aircraft of paragraph a30, wherein the noise-attenuating heat exchanger forms part of a heat transfer system, and further wherein the second fluid flows in a closed loop within the heat transfer system.

A32. A noise-attenuating heat exchanger comprising:

any suitable construction of any of the noise-attenuating heat exchangers described in any of paragraphs A1-a 28; and

any suitable structure for any of the dendritic heat exchangers described in any of paragraphs B1-B27.

A33. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of paragraph a32, wherein at least one of:

(i) The intermediate layer and the base layer of any of paragraphs A1-a28 together define the elongated housing of any of paragraphs B1-B27; and

(ii) The intermediate layer and the aerodynamically shaped layer described in any of paragraphs A1-a28 together define an elongated shell described in any of paragraphs B1-B27.

A34. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs a32-a33, wherein the cooling fluid containment body of any of paragraphs A1-a28 defines the heat exchange structure of any of paragraphs B1-B27.

A35. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs a32-a34, wherein the elongated cooling conduit of any of paragraphs A1-a28 defines or is actually (insead) the shell volume of any of paragraphs B1-B27.

A36. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any of paragraphs a32-a35, wherein the cooling fluid containment body of any of paragraphs A1-a28 is defined by the plurality of dendritic tube members of any of paragraphs B1-B27, or indeed by the plurality of dendritic tube members of any of paragraphs B1-B27.

B1. A dendritic heat exchanger configured to exchange thermal energy between a first fluid stream and a second fluid stream, the dendritic heat exchanger comprising:

an elongated housing extending between a first end and an opposite second end and defining:

(i) A housing volume;

(ii) A first fluid inlet configured to receive a first fluid flow into the housing volume as a first fluid inlet flow;

(iii) A first fluid outlet configured to discharge a first fluid stream from the housing volume as a first fluid outlet stream;

(iv) A second fluid inlet configured to receive a second fluid flow into the housing volume as a second fluid inlet flow; and

(v) A second fluid outlet configured to discharge a second fluid stream from the housing volume as a second fluid outlet stream; and

a heat exchange structure extending within the shell volume, wherein the heat exchange structure comprises a plurality of dendritic tube members, and further wherein each dendritic tube member of the plurality of dendritic tube members comprises:

(i) An inlet zone defining an inlet conduit configured to receive a portion of a second fluid inlet flow from a second fluid inlet; and

(ii) A branching region defining a plurality of branch conduits extending from the inlet conduit, wherein each branch conduit of the plurality of branch conduits is configured to receive a respective fraction of the portion of the second fluid inlet stream from the inlet conduit and provide the respective fraction of the portion of the second fluid inlet stream to the second fluid outlet to at least partially define a second fluid outlet stream.

B2. The dendritic heat exchanger of paragraph B1, wherein the heat exchange structure is configured to receive the second fluid inlet stream.

B3. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B2, wherein the heat exchange structure is configured to produce a second fluid outlet stream.

B4. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B3, wherein the heat exchange structure is configured to flow the second fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with the first fluid stream within the shell volume.

B5. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B4, wherein the heat exchange structure is configured to maintain fluid separation between the first fluid stream and the second fluid stream within the shell volume.

B6. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B5, wherein the transverse cross sectional area of each of the plurality of branch conduits is less than the transverse cross sectional area of the inlet conduit.

B7. The dendritic heat exchanger of paragraph B6 wherein a sum of the transverse cross-sectional areas of each of the plurality of branch conduits is within a threshold fraction of the transverse cross-sectional area of the inlet conduit.

B8. The dendritic heat exchanger of paragraph B7, wherein the threshold fraction is at least one of:

(i) At least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 100%, at least 200%, at least 300%, or at least 400%; and

(ii) At most 600%, at most 500%, at most 400%, at most 300%, at most 200%, at most 150%, at most 140%, at most 130%, at most 120%, at most 110% or at most 100%.

B9. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B8, wherein the branch region is a first branch region, wherein the plurality of branch conduits is a plurality of first branch conduits, and further wherein each dendritic tube member includes a second branch region defining a plurality of second branch conduits.

B10. The dendritic heat exchanger of paragraph B9 wherein at least two of the plurality of second branch conduits extend from each of the plurality of first branch conduits.

B11. The dendritic heat exchanger of paragraph B10, wherein the at least two branch conduits are configured to receive respective sub-fractions of the respective fraction of the portion of the second fluid inlet stream from the first branch conduit and provide the respective sub-fractions of the respective fraction of the portion of the second fluid inlet stream to the second fluid outlet to at least partially define the second fluid outlet stream.

B12. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B11, wherein each dendritic tube defines a plurality of subsequent branching regions, wherein each subsequent branching region of the plurality of subsequent branching regions is configured to receive a respective sub-fraction of the respective fraction of the portion of the second fluid inlet stream from the upstream branching region.

B13. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B12, wherein each dendritic tube member further comprises a combining zone configured to receive respective fractions of the portion of the second fluid inlet stream from the at least two branch conduits to at least partially define the second fluid outlet stream.

B14. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B13, wherein the plurality of dendritic tube members comprises a plurality of elongated dendritic tube members.

B15. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B14, wherein the plurality of dendritic tube members extend along the elongated axis of the shell volume.

B16. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B15 wherein the plurality of dendritic tube members are spaced apart within the shell volume.

B17. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B16, wherein each of the plurality of dendritic tube members extends along a respective tube axis, and further wherein the respective tube axis of each of the plurality of dendritic tube members is parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to the respective tube axis of each other of the plurality of dendritic tube members.

B18. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B17, wherein the heat exchange structure further comprises a support element supporting the plurality of dendritic tube members within the shell volume.

B19. The dendritic heat exchanger of paragraph B18, wherein the support element comprises at least one of:

(i) A porous support element;

(ii) A thermally conductive support element;

(iii) A heat transfer enhancement structure; and

(iv) A fluid-impermeable support member.

B20. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B19, wherein, in a transverse cross section of the heat exchange structure, at least one of:

(i) A plurality of dendritic tube members arranged in a pattern array;

(ii) A plurality of dendritic tube members arranged at vertices of the regular geometric shape;

(iii) The plurality of dendritic pipe fittings are arranged at the vertex of the triangle;

(iv) The plurality of dendritic tube members are arranged at the vertexes of the rectangle;

(v) A plurality of dendritic tube members arranged at vertices of the hexagon; and

(vi) A plurality of dendritic tubes are arranged at the vertices of a repeating geometry.

B21. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B20, wherein the heat exchange structure further comprises a plurality of inner walls, wherein each inner wall of the plurality of inner walls extends between and along a length of a respective pair of the plurality of dendritic tube members.

B22. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B21, wherein the dendritic heat exchanger further comprises a plurality of heat transfer enhancement structures configured to enhance heat transfer between the first fluid stream and the second fluid stream.

B23. The dendritic heat exchanger of paragraph B22, wherein the plurality of heat transfer enhancement structures comprises at least one of:

(i) A plurality of protrusions;

(ii) A plurality of pins;

(iii) A plurality of columns; and

(iv) A plurality of heat dissipating fins.

B24. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B23, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of heat transfer enhancement structures is at least one of:

(i) Projecting from the elongated housing;

(ii) Projecting from a plurality of dendritic tubes; and

(iii) A plurality of dendritic tubes project between the elongated housing and the plurality of dendritic tubes to mechanically support the plurality of dendritic tubes within the housing volume.

B25. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B24, wherein at least one of:

(i) A first fluid inlet is defined on the first end of the elongated housing; and

(ii) A second fluid inlet is defined on the second end of the elongated housing.

B26. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B25, wherein at least one of:

(i) A first fluid inlet and a second fluid inlet are defined on the first end of the elongated housing; and

(ii) The first fluid inlet and the second fluid inlet are defined on opposite ends of the elongated housing.

B27. The dendritic heat exchanger of any of paragraphs B1-B26, wherein the dendritic heat exchanger is at least one of:

(i) Comprising a unitary structure defining at least an elongated housing and a heat exchange structure; and

(ii) Formed via additive manufacturing.

C1. A method of exchanging heat and attenuating noise with a noise-attenuating heat exchanger, the method comprising:

flowing a first fluid stream comprising a first fluid over an aerodynamically shaped surface defined by an aerodynamically shaped layer of a noise-attenuating heat exchanger;

receiving, via a plurality of apertures defined within the aerodynamic shaping layer, sound waves propagating within the first fluid flow into a noise attenuation volume at least partially defined by the aerodynamic shaping layer;

attenuating sound waves in a noise attenuation volume;

receiving a cooling flow comprising a second fluid with a cooling fluid containment duct defined at least in part by a cooling fluid containment body of a noise-attenuating heat exchanger;

receiving a cooling fluid comprising a first fluid in heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid containment into an elongated cooling conduit defined at least in part by a base of a noise-attenuating heat exchanger; and

fluid separation between the cooling stream and the cooling stream is maintained within the noise-attenuating heat exchanger.

C2. The method of paragraph C1, wherein the noise-attenuating heat exchanger comprises any suitable structure, function, and/or feature of any of the noise-attenuating heat exchangers of any of paragraphs A1-a 28.

C3. The method of any of paragraphs C1-C2, wherein receiving a flow of cooling air comprises receiving a flow of compressed air from a fan of a jet engine of the aircraft.

C4. The method of any of paragraphs C1-C3, wherein receiving the cooling flow comprises receiving the cooling flow from a cooling component of a jet engine of the aircraft.

C5. The method of paragraph C4, wherein the method further comprises flowing the cooling flow in a closed loop within the aircraft.

D1. A method of exchanging heat in a dendritic heat exchanger, the method comprising:

receiving a first fluid flow as a first fluid inlet flow into the housing volume via the first fluid inlet of the elongated housing;

flowing a first fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with a heat exchange structure extending within the housing volume;

discharging a first fluid stream from the housing volume via the first fluid outlet of the elongated housing as a first fluid outlet stream;

receiving a second fluid flow as a second fluid inlet flow into the heat exchange structure via a second fluid inlet of the elongated housing;

dividing the second fluid inlet flow into a plurality of portions of the second fluid inlet flow within the heat exchange structure;

flowing each of the plurality of portions of the second fluid inlet stream within a respective inlet conduit of a respective dendritic tube of the plurality of dendritic tubes of the heat exchange structure;

dividing each of the plurality of portions of the second fluid inlet stream into a plurality of respective fractions of each of the plurality of portions of the second fluid inlet stream within the branching region of each of the plurality of dendritic tubing;

flowing a plurality of respective fractions of each of a plurality of portions of the second fluid inlet stream within the plurality of branch conduits of each dendritic tube; and

a plurality of respective fractions of each of the plurality of portions of the second fluid inlet stream are discharged from the housing volume as a second fluid outlet stream via a second fluid outlet of the elongated housing.

D2. The method of paragraph D1, wherein the dendritic heat exchanger comprises any suitable structure, function and/or feature of any of the dendritic heat exchangers described in any of paragraphs B1-B27.

D3. The method of any of paragraphs D1-D2, wherein receiving the first fluid flow comprises receiving a compressed air flow from a fan of a jet engine of the aircraft.

D4. The method of any of paragraphs D1-D3, wherein receiving the second fluid stream comprises receiving the second fluid stream from a cooling component of a jet engine of the aircraft.

D5. The method of paragraph D4, wherein the method further comprises flowing the second fluid stream in a closed loop within the aircraft.

As used herein, the terms "selective" and "selectively," when modifying the action, movement, configuration, or other activity of one or more components or features of a device, mean that the particular action, movement, configuration, or other activity is the direct or indirect result of a user manipulating an aspect or one or more components of the device.

As used herein, the terms "adapted" and "configured" mean that an element, component, or other subject matter is designed and/or intended to perform a given function. Thus, use of the terms "adapted" and "configured" should not be construed to mean that a given element, component, or other subject matter is simply "capable" of performing a given function, but rather that the element, component, and/or other subject matter is expressly selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing that function. Within the scope of the present disclosure, elements, components, and/or other referenced subject matter recited as being adapted to perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being configured to perform that function, and vice versa. Similarly, subject matter recited as being configured to perform a particular function can additionally or alternatively be described as being operable to perform that function.

As used herein, the phrase "at least one" in reference to a list of one or more entities should be understood to mean at least one entity selected from any one or more entities in the list of entities, but does not necessarily include at least one of each (each) and each (every) entity specifically listed in the list of entities, and does not exclude any combination of entities in the list of entities. The definition also allows that entities may optionally be present in addition to the entities specifically identified in the list of entities referred to by the phrase "at least one", whether related or unrelated to those specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, in one embodiment, "at least one of a and B" (or, equivalently, "at least one of a or B," or, equivalently "at least one of a and/or B") can refer to at least one, optionally including more than one, a, absent B (and optionally including an entity other than B); in another embodiment, at least one, optionally including more than one, B, has no a present (and optionally includes an entity other than a); in yet another embodiment, at least one, optionally including more than one a, and at least one, optionally including more than one B (and optionally including other entities). In other words, the phrases "at least one," "one or more," and/or "are open-ended expressions that, when used, are both conjunctions and conjunctions of opposite senses. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of a, B, and C", "at least one of a, B, or C", "one or more of a, B, and C", "one or more of a, B, or C", and "a, B, and/or C" may refer to a alone, B alone, C alone, a and B together, a and C together, B and C together, a, B, and C together, and optionally any combination of the foregoing with at least one other entity.

The elements of the various disclosed devices and steps of the methods disclosed herein are not essential to all devices and methods in accordance with the present disclosure, and the present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements and steps disclosed herein. In addition, one or more of the various elements and steps disclosed herein may define independent inventive subject matter, independent of the overall disclosed apparatus or method. Accordingly, such inventive subject matter is not required to be associated with the specific apparatus and methods specifically disclosed herein, and such inventive subject matter may find use in apparatus and/or methods not specifically disclosed herein.

As used herein, the phrase "for example," the phrase "as an example" and/or simply the term "example," when used with reference to one or more components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods according to the present disclosure, is intended to convey that the described components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods are illustrative, non-exclusive examples of components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the described components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods are not intended to be limiting, required, or exclusive/exhaustive; and other components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods, including structurally and/or functionally similar and/or equivalent components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods, are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A noise-attenuating heat exchanger, comprising:

an aerodynamically shaped layer;

a base;

a cooling fluid containment body;

wherein:

(i) The aerodynamically-shaped layer defines an aerodynamically-shaped surface shaped to direct a flow of a first fluid stream comprising a first fluid, an opposite intermediate-facing surface facing toward the intermediate layer, and a plurality of apertures;

(ii) The intermediate layer defines a shaping layer-facing surface facing toward the aerodynamically shaped layer and an opposite base-facing surface facing toward the base;

(iii) The base defines a base surface facing toward the intermediate layer;

(iv) The intermediate layer facing surface of the aerodynamically shaped layer at least partially defines a noise attenuation volume configured to be in fluid communication with the first fluid flow via the plurality of holes and configured to attenuate acoustic energy from the first fluid flow;

(v) The base surface of the base at least partially defining an elongated cooling conduit extending between a cooling conduit inlet and a cooling conduit outlet and configured to receive a cooling fluid comprising the first fluid in heat exchange relationship with the cooling fluid receptacle;

(vi) The noise attenuation volume being distinct from the elongated cooling conduit and the intermediate layer at least partially fluidly isolating the noise attenuation volume from the elongated cooling conduit; and

(vii) The cooling fluid containment body at least partially defines a cooling fluid containment duct extending between a cooling fluid containment duct inlet and a cooling fluid containment duct outlet and configured to receive a cooling flow comprising a second fluid, the cooling fluid containment body being a cooling fluid containment layer, and further wherein the cooling fluid containment duct is defined between the cooling fluid containment layer and the intermediate layer.

2. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the noise-attenuating volume is defined between the aerodynamically shaped layer and the intermediate layer.

3. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the elongated cooling conduit is defined between the cooling fluid containment layer and the base.

4. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the noise-attenuating volume is defined between the aerodynamically shaped layer and the intermediate layer, and further wherein the elongated cooling conduit is defined between the intermediate layer and the base.

5. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein the cooling fluid containment body comprises a plurality of distinct cooling fluid containment tubes extending within the elongated cooling conduit.

6. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein the noise-attenuating heat exchanger further comprises a plurality of support elements extending between the plurality of different cooling fluid-containing tubes and at least one of the intermediate layer and the base.

7. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of different cooling fluid containment tubes is a plurality of different first cooling fluid containment tubes, wherein the noise-attenuating heat exchanger includes a plurality of different second cooling fluid containment tubes extending within the noise attenuation volume, wherein the noise-attenuating heat exchanger further includes a plurality of second support elements extending between the plurality of different second cooling fluid containment tubes and at least one of the intermediate layer and the aerodynamic shaping layer, and further wherein at least a subset of the plurality of second support elements are fluid-permeable.

8. The noise-attenuating heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the noise-attenuating heat exchanger comprises a plurality of different noise-attenuating volumes and a plurality of different elongated cooling conduits.

9. A method of exchanging heat and attenuating noise using the noise-attenuating heat exchanger of any one of claims 1 through 8, the method comprising:

flowing a first fluid stream comprising a first fluid over an aerodynamically shaped surface defined by an aerodynamically shaped layer of the noise-attenuating heat exchanger;

attenuating the sound waves in a noise attenuation volume;

receiving a cooling flow comprising a second fluid with a cooling fluid containment duct at least partially defined by a cooling fluid containment body of the noise-attenuating heat exchanger;

receiving a cooling fluid comprising the first fluid in heat exchange relationship with the cooling fluid containment into an elongated cooling conduit at least partially defined by a base of the noise-attenuating heat exchanger; and

maintaining fluid separation between the cooling stream and the cooling stream within the noise-attenuating heat exchanger.